How To Run Games In Windowed Mode Mac

Computers are often used not only for work, but also for entertainment, including games. A game, just like any other application on a computer, can run in full screen mode or in a windowed mode. Depending on the situation, it may be convenient to use one or another option. There are many ways to start the game in windowed mode, and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Usually, the need to start a game in windowed mode is associated with the desire to quickly switch between programs running on the computer. It is also useful to start the game in windowed mode, for example, if it is quite old and has a low resolution, because of which the image is blurred when it is enlarged in full screen.

Using game settings

No other Mac game does this that I know of. The only other 'solution' is to run the Windows version in boot camp and use the ATI or Nvidia control panel to maintain aspect ratio. It's too bad-AOE II is my favorite RTS, and I'd love to play it in 1440x900 mode.

The easiest way to transfer a game from full-screen to windowed mode is to use the game settings. Most often, the switch between the window mode and the regular mode is in the “Display” or “Graphics” options. However, not all games allow you to do this.

Using “hot keys”

Experienced Windows users perfectly know a set of “hot keys” that allows to switch from one version of the system to another and to quickly perform all sorts of actions. There is a way in the system to transfer an application or game to windowed mode. To do this, it is enough to simultaneously press Alt + Enter keys on the keyboard. After that, the full screen mode will change to windowed mode or vice versa.

This key combination works in all Windows versions, but not with all programs and games.

Using “-window” property for shortcut

If the game does not respond to any of the above methods, or there is no possibility to change its display mode in the settings, you can try adding the windowed mode parameter to the shortcut. To do this, find the game shortcut on the desktop and right-click on it. In the drop-down menu, select “Properties”. There will open a new window and in this window you need to enter the “–window” parameter. This property must be written in the “Target” column, as shown in the example below.

When the required parameter is registered, click “OK” to save the changes. After that, start the game through this shortcut, and it will open in windowed mode.

In some cases, the “-window” parameter does not work. We recommend in these situations to set the “-w” parameter, save and try to start the game once again.

Using third party applications

There are two types of applications that allow you to run programs in windowed mode – these are specialized utilities and emulator applications. Let’s take a closer look at both of these options.

Steam Games Windowed Mode

Utilities for launching a game in a windowed mode

There are many auxiliary applications that allow you to start the game in windowed mode. Let’s take D3DWindower as an example. This utility can be downloaded for free from the official website of its developers. After downloading the program, follow these steps to open the game in windowed mode:

Install applications in a folder;
Start the application and click on the plus sign. There will open a window where you need to select the game you want, and then click on the icon with the closed folder;
There will open a settings window where you need to set the following parameters:
The first two fields indicate the width and height of the window. Make sure that a check mark at the right is activated;
In the lower right part of the window, click the button and select the file called D3DHook.dll from the folder where the D3DWindower application is installed;
Save the settings;
After that you only have to press the “Run program” button, which has a computer icon (this button is the third on the right).

Now there will open a window where the necessary game will start.

Emulators to launch a game in a windowed mode

Emulators are the most difficult way and they should be used as a last resort. this way implies a complete emulation of the operating system inside the window, followed by launching a game inside it. There are many emulators, both paid and free. Among the most famous options are Windows Virtual PC and Vmware.

Depending on which emulator you will use, the list of actions that you need to perform to start the game varies. In general, the process looks as follows:

An emulator must be installed on the computer and started;
Next, in the emulator, you need to specify the path to the files used to install the operating system;
After that, you need to wait for the OS installation and restart the emulator;
Next, you need to install your game in the emulator and start it.

It is worth noting that for the emulator operation you will need to have about 20 GB of free space on the hard drive (only for installation). In addition, emulators are quite demanding to computer resources.

Diablo 2 is one of my favorite games of all time. Diablo 2 resets twice a year and I always seem to get hooked when it does. One problem I have encountered in Diablo 2 is not being able to leave the game without alt-tabbing. I will normally play other games like Runescape or Minecraft while creating a mule for my main character. You can create a mule by creating or joining a game and just sitting in town for a few hours. Mules are nice to have in case you fill up your chest on one character and want to hold onto other items. Diablo 2 Windowed Mode should come as a setting but we can do it with these steps.

Lets Get Started

There is no setting in Diablo 2 that lets you switch to windowed mode. You can use this little trick to put any game in windowed mode if you need to. First you will need to find your Diablo 2 Shortcut. After finding the shortcut you will need to edit your programs properties. You can do this by right clicking the shortcut and left clicking properties.

After you open the properties you will see a text box called “Target”. If you don’t see the text box you will want to make sure your on the correct tab. All you will need is to add ” -w” after the Target location in the text box. It is important that you include the space between the closing bracket and the “-w”. There you have it try to launch the game and you will have Diablo 2 Windowed Mode.